Mackenzie Murphy of Bradford Country Club has had her fair share of experience on the golf course in the summer of 2020. While it may not always be her own game bringing her around the Bay State to courses such as The Kittansett Club, Concord Country Club, and Woodland Golf Club, she has had plenty of opportunities to watch and learn as the de facto caddie for 2019 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Champion and family friend Nick Maccario.
“Every way he plays the game is awesome,” Murphy said. “It was great experience for me and I am trying to apply it to my own game. Putting is what I totally need to work on, and his putting is unreal. If I had his putting it’d be awesome.”
The rising senior at Haverhill High School had a front row seat to one of the best July’s you’ll ever see at the Amateur level. She caddied for Maccario in the Mass Amateur, New England Amateur, and Ouimet Memorial Tournament, a stretch that included three straight runner-up finishes.
“I learned a lot from that experience,” Murphy said. “How to present yourself after not playing your best. He has been playing his best really, he’s had some awesome rounds. He’s unfortunately been in second for them but just the way he presents himself after is important to learn. Mentally as well just to keep going. Every shot is a new shot.”
Murphy is a player in her own right. While she has been out the last year with a wrist injury, she competed in the Girls Junior Amateur this past week at Hatherly Country Club and will be at Essex County Club next week to play in the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur Championship.
“I was out of golf an entire year because of a left wrist injury,” Murphy said. “The Girl’s Junior is one of my first tournaments back. I’m just excited to be out here. I didn’t play my best but it’s great to be back.”
With the Women’s Amateur being her second and final event of the summer, she is tempering expectations going into the championship proper. However, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t already made caddie preparations should she make match play.
“If I make match play Nick will definitely be on the bag,” Murphy said. “He owes me just a little.”
Murphy is also gearing up for a return to her high school golf team at Haverhill, where she’s the only girl on an all-boys team. To go one further, Murphy not only plays on her veteran laden high school squad but is an integral piece as the number three player in their rotation.
“I’ve played all four years,” Murphy said. “I’m just looking forward to getting out there and being able to play and have some fun. We have eight returning seniors to our team, so it’ll be good to have one last year.”
